Congratulations to MIKE GARDNER on winning the 1996 Langer Park, his first National win. His best placing prior to this had been 30th on the 1994 Langer Park - so, a giant step for plot-kind!

Once again, the level of difficulty seemed about right. This was contrary to the views of a few (myself included!) that we were destined to have a few clean sheets and getting a clear result was going to be difficult. It was surprising where people fell into the traps - but then again after all these years we should never be surprised. The format seemed to work satisfactorily, again, eighteen sections from twenty did not find favour with the more experienced competitors but it did achieve it's aim of giving the less experienced a fighting chance. What a shame that the 'most dropped section' was no. 21, anyway, the solution will tell all.

Once again, we find ourselves having to apologise for the number of irritating errors that crept in. Y'know, we sit here with the event 'on the table' for approximately nine months. Ideas being kicked around, checked (!), changed, re-checked (!!), but still the gremlins slip through. Most of them were no more than an irritation, but probably the one that was the most off-putting was the first TC of the main event followed by another in the middle herringbone. Pretty unsatisfactorily really and no excuses. We will continue to do our best to minimise, if not eradicate them altogther, next time.

Judging by the return rate of maps and roadbooks, especially from the Beginners (75%) - usually the greatest casualties of falling by the wayside, the event, with 73.8%, dropped a little from last year's high. 76 competitors from an entry of 103 (once again, the best of the season so far) figure in the results. The roadbook is a definite winner with most competitors - only 20% opted to plot the event on the full map.

As usual, the most detailed analyses of your comments, route/routecard solutions and breakdown of penalties are on the following pages.

Finally, you may have noticed that we were thinking of calling it a day, well, many of you asked us to reconsider. We have; many thanks for your kind comments. We will be back, so hope to hear from you next year - many thanks from Geoff White and Maurice Pinner at Eastern Counties Motor Club Ltd., Frank Richer at LANGER PARK SERVICES and Dave Otridge at RALLY NAVIGATION SERVICES.